NHTSA: Traffic Deaths at 60-Year Low

September 09, 2010

Although road travel is on the rise in the U.S., the number of traffic deaths and injuries in 2009 were the lowest on record since 1950, according to a National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) report.

Fatality and injury data released this week by the Department of Transportation, show that there were 33,808 U.S. highway deaths in 2009 - down from 37,261 in 2008 - and the lowest on record since 1954.

The number of highway fatalities decreased for all classes of motor vehicles. Motorcycle fatalities also dropped for the first time in over a decade.

"At the Department of Transportation, we are laser-focused on our top priority: safety," U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood said at a press conference on Thursday. "Today's announcement shows that America's roads are the safest they've ever been. But they must be safer. And we will not rest until they are."